Bradford City secured their place in the League One promotion play‑offs with a solid 2‑1 victory over Exeter City, a result that simultaneously condemned the Grecians to relegation to League Two. The win not only guarantees Bradford a chance to fight for a return to the Championship but also ends Exeter's four‑year tenure in the third tier of English football in a disappointing fashion.
The Bantams can now turn their attention to the two‑legged semi‑final, where they will face Bolton Wanderers. Kayden Jackson and Antoni Sarcevic provided the decisive goals that sealed the triumph for Bradford, allowing them to celebrate a hard‑earned spot in the post‑season while their opponents begin to contemplate life in the lower division.
Exeter entered the match knowing that a win was essential to stay up. Their fate was also tied to the result of the Leyton Orient versus Burton Albion game, which ended in a draw.
Had Exeter managed to claim all three points, they would have survived. Instead, their inability to convert chances and a series of defensive lapses handed Bradford the advantage. From the opening whistle, Bradford imposed themselves on the game, pressing high and generating several promising opportunities. Their relentless approach finally paid off in the 27th minute.
Kayden Jackson, marking his 450th appearance for the club, received a perfectly timed through ball from midfielder George Lapslie. Jackson took the ball at the edge of the penalty area, rounded goalkeeper Jack Bycroft and calmly slotted it home from roughly 18 yards out. The goal gave the Bantams an early lead and set the tone for the rest of the match.
Exeter attempted to respond but struggled to find rhythm. At halftime the visitors made a double substitution, introducing fresh legs in an effort to turn the tide. The changes produced a brief spark; forward Carlos Mendes Gomes unleashed a powerful shot that forced Bradford goalkeeper Sam Walker into a reflex save. Despite a handful of half‑chances, Exeter could not breach Bradford’s defence.
The decisive moment arrived in the 80th minute. Jack McMillan, attempting to clear a cross, headed the ball back towards his own goal, but his header lacked direction and fell short of Bycroft. Antoni Sarcevic pounced on the loose ball, tapped it past the Exeter keeper, and extended Bradford’s lead to 2‑0.
The goal effectively sealed Exeter’s fate, as the Grecians were now two goals behind with only ten minutes remaining. In stoppage time, Exeter managed a consolation strike.
Josh Magennis flicked a corner delivered by Ryan Rydel into the net, reducing the deficit to 2‑1. The goal, however, came too late to influence the outcome, and Exeter were forced to accept relegation after a night that will be remembered as a low point in the club’s recent history. Bradford’s manager praised his side’s composure and execution, noting that the team’s experience and tactical discipline made the difference on a day when the stakes were high. Meanwhile, Exeter’s boss Matt Taylor expressed disappointment, acknowledging that his side fell short both in performance and result.
He highlighted the gulf in experience and quality between the two squads, stating that Exeter appeared “bigger, faster and stronger” in several key areas. Taylor admitted that the pressure of the situation affected his players, leading to a lack of cohesive passing and missed set‑piece opportunities in the first half.
He added that a single mistake in the second half contributed to the second goal, culminating in a “very painful end.” The play‑off schedule now looks as follows: the first‑leg semi‑finals are set for Saturday, 9 May, with Stevenage taking on Stockport at 15:00 and Bolton travelling to Bradford at 20:00. The second legs will be played on Wednesday, 13 May (Stockport vs Stevenage at 20:00) and Thursday, 14 May (Bradford vs Bolton at 20:00).
The winners of these ties will meet at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, 24 May, for the final, where the victorious team will earn promotion to the Championship. For fans wishing to follow the action, the matches will be available on the Sky Sports app for Sky subscribers, while non‑subscribers can obtain instant access without a contract.
Additionally, a £250,000 Super 6 prize pool is on offer for those who enter the competition before the 3 pm deadline on Saturday. Overall, Bradford’s victory marks a pivotal moment in their season, securing a shot at promotion, while Exeter must now regroup and prepare for the challenges of League Two, reflecting on a campaign that ended in disappointment despite a valiant effort in their final match.